Clara Strack is a finalist for the nation's best center award

by:Zack Geoghegan•about 11 hours•

ZGeogheganKSR

Georgia Amoore isn’t the only Kentucky women’s basketball star. There’s a center holding down the frontcourt who is having quite a special season, as well.

On Friday, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced sophomore Clara Strack as one of 10 finalists for the Lisa Leslie Center of the Year Award. The 6-foot-5 native of New York is producing an incredible season as Amoore’s co-star with per-game averages of 15.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and an SEC-leading 2.3 blocks in 31.1 minutes. Strack has produced 10 double-doubles in 21 games played, fourth-most in the league.

Strack is one of three SEC players to crack the list, along with Oklahoma’s Raegan Beers and Texas’ Taylor Jones. The Lisa Leslie Center of the Year Award was established in 2018.

15.5ppg, 9.6rpg, 2.9apg, 2.3bpg ❤️‍🔥

(and she’s just a sophomore)@ClaraStrack @Hoophall @hoophallu pic.twitter.com/u5YnPJY5l8
— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) February 7, 2025

Like Amoore (who hauled in several awards earlier this week), Strack followed head coach Kenny Brooks from Virginia Tech to Kentucky in the offseason. She was projected to fill a major role for the Wildcats in just her second year of college, but she’s exceeded most expectations thus far. Her 9.6 rebounds per game rank third in the SEC. She’s reached double-digit scoring in 18 out of 21 games and has five games of at least 20-plus points.

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During UK’s four ranked contests this season, Strack is averaging 17.5 points, 11.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.8 blocks. Did I already mention she’s only a sophomore? Her best is still yet to come.

The Big Blue Nation can help vote Amoore and Strack into winning these Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame awards for their respective positions. All you need to do is head to hoophallawards.com where you can cast your ballot. Fan voting counts for one committee vote during the final selection process.